Two Case with Tourniquet Syndrome

The Hair-Thread Tourniquet syndrome is a rare and dangerous, but preventable condition. Involvements of the genitalia, such as of the penis and clitoris, have been reported as well as that of the fingers and toes. We report two patients: a 4-year-old girl with swelling of her 4th finger of the right foot and a 2-month-old infant with swelling of the 3rd and 4th fingers of the right foot. The time interval between the initiation and removal of the hair-thread is critical. Clinical presentation may vary from simple oedema to ulceration, necrosis, and amputation of the organ. Emergency physicians should consider tourniquet syndrome for children with unexplained restlessness. (JAEM 2013; 12: 220-1)